Caerphilly county borough council has approved exciting plans for the redevelopment of Hanbury Road Baptist Chapel in Bargoed.
The ambitious scheme will transform one of Bargoed’s key landmark buildings into a multi-use facility offering a range of services to the local community.
The imposing building, located in the heart of the town centre, is to be converted into a new library as well as boasting other modern facilities including a ‘Customer First’ outlet for local people to access council services, a new community café and limited office space.
A new worship space will also be created within the existing Sunday School Level so that the building can still be used by the local congregation.
The proposals for the Hanbury Road Baptist Chapel are a joint partnership between Caerphilly County Borough Council, United Welsh Housing Association, the Chapel congregation and Welsh Assembly Government.
Cllr Ron Davies, CCBC Cabinet Member for Regeneration said, “We are delighted to be working with our partners to both develop and preserve this historic building and create a first class facility for the wider community. This scheme is an integral part of Bargoed’s regeneration strategy and we will continue to give a clear signal that, despite the recession, we will drive these projects forward for the benefit of the community.”
The century old Chapel is a Grade 2* listed building and, with its classic architecture, is a dominant building on Bargoed’s main shopping street. The rear of the building, which faces the main car park, will be carefully stripped away and replaced with a contemporary extension, which advertises the presence of this new state–of-the–art public facility.
As part of the ongoing regeneration plans for Bargoed, the former library has been demolished to pave the way for the new retail development plateau and to assist in creating the pedestrian link between Hanbury Square and the new development. The library facilities are currently in temporary accommodation at St Gwladys Church Hall while the works progress.
Peter Laing, Chair of United Welsh said: “This is an excellent example of what can be achieved through effective co-operation. All the partners involved have played crucial roles in progressing this exciting community project and we now look forward to seeing the results.”
Planning permission was recently granted for United Welsh to convert the Chapel. The building will also require Listed Building consent prior to the commencement of any work, reflecting its Grade 2* Listed status and ensuring that the integrity of this historic building is preserved for the future.
United Welsh have already obtained funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Heads of the Valleys Programme.
